A77357:504
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in CambridgeThe vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge
The works of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel College in Cambridge: now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The second volume. [sic] Viz. 1. Grace for grace; or, The overflowing of Christs fullness received by all saints. II. The spiritual actings of faith through natural impossibilities. III. Evangelical repentance.The vvorks of William Bridge, sometime fellow of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge: now preacher of the Word of God at Yarmouth. The second volumn. [sic] Viz. 1. Grace for grace; or, The overflowing of Christs fulness received by all saints. II. The spiritual actings of faith through natural impossibilities. III. Evangelical repentance.
London: printed by Peter Cole, 1649
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Know, that thou mayest trust God, that thou mayest find Mercy, that thou mayest believe in such a case as this is. Beloved, therefore thou hast not believed in such a case heretofore, because thou didst think thou mightst not believe. But now know from the Lord, 'tis no temptation, 'tis no presumption, in such a case as this thou mayest lean thy poor guilty soul upon God this day. I am loath to make ⟨p. 190⟩comparisons between one duty and another; but if there be any compares, this act of believing when all means seem to lie dead before us, is more then all thy prayers and tears: Thou criest out and sayest, Oh! that I had tears in prayer, Oh! that God would enlarge my heart in prayer, Oh! that God would break this hard heart; and blessed be the Lord indeed when so it is.
Know, that thou mayest trust God, that thou mayest find Mercy, that thou mayest beleeve in such a case as this is. Beloved, therefore thou hast not beleeved in such a case heretofore, because thou didst think thou mightst not beleeve. But now know from the Lord, 'tis no temptation, 'tis no presumption, in such a case as this thou mayest leane thy poor guilty soule upon God this day. I am loath to make ⟨p. 190⟩comparisons between one duty and another; but if there be any compares, this act of beleeving when all meanes seeme to lie dead before us, is more then all thy prayers and teares: Thou criest out and sayest, Oh! that I had teares in prayer, Oh! that God would inlarge my heart in prayer, Oh! that God would breake this hard heart; and blessed be the Lord indeed when so it is.
But now, art thou in such a case? hast thou a prospect of all thy sins, and all means seem to lie dead before thee? and doest thou now go unto Jesus Christ, saying to him, Ah, Lord, I have been a great and a wretched sinner; yet now, hearing of thy free and rich grace, I do throw my self upon thee; Lord, if thou killest me, yet I will trust in thee; through thy grace, I will never return again unto folly; only Lord, I do lean my Soul upon thee; as for comfort, Lord give me comfort when thou wilt; only, I lean my Soul upon thee? I tell thee, this act of thy Faith is more pleasing to God, then thy twenty years tears, then thy twenty years prayers, if there be any compare.